The Prevalence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Latino Poultry-Processing Workers and Other Latino Manual Workers

Abstract

Objective To determine the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in Latino poultry processing workers. Methods Symptoms and nerve conduction studies were used to prospectively assess 287 Latino poultry processing workers and 226 Latinos in other manual labor occupations. Results The prevalence of CTS was higher in poultry processing (8.7%) compared to non-poultry manual workers (4.0%, p < 0.0001). The adjusted odds ratio for the prevalence of CTS in poultry workers was 2.51 (95% CI of 1.80 to 3.50) compared to non-poultry workers. Within the poultry workers, those who performed packing, sanitation, and chilling had a trend toward less CTS than those who performed tasks requiring more repetitive and strenuous hand movements. Discussion Latino poultry processing workers have a high prevalence of CTS, which likely results from the repetitive and strenuous nature of the work.

Personal and occupational risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome in meat processing industry workers in Northern Italy

“…Available studies on meat industry workers have defined the CTS by different criteria, such as recalling of symptoms, examination findings in a physical examination, nerve conduction studies, neuromuscular ultrasound studies, response to surgery, or by a combination of these parameters, resulting in large differences in epidemiological data [3,6,20,21,33,41,42]. Our definition of the CTS was constructed to reflect what may be called a common clinical consensus of what is usually understood as the CTS, and showed a prevalence of 14.1%, and an incidence of 11.3 cases/1000 person-years.…”

Health hazard evaluation report: evaluation of musculoskeletal disorders and traumatic injuries among employees at a poultry processing plant.

“…Other studies have defined carpal tunnel syndrome by different criteria, using symptoms in combination with physical examination, median nerve conduction study alone, symptoms alone, or a combination of these criteria. This variation in case definition may contribute to differences in the reported prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome ranging from 7.8% to 73.9% [Kim et al 2004;Cartwright et al 2012]. …”

“…Poultry processing involves a combination of highly repetitive and forceful movements that places employees at an increased risk for upper extremity WMSDs [Lipscomb et al 2008;Cartwright et al 2012]. Because much of the work on a poultry processing line involves the hand and wrist, workers may be particularly at risk for carpal tunnel syndrome.…”

“…A carpal tunnel syndrome prevalence of 74% was found among meat and fish processing plant employees [Kim et al 2004], and a carpal tunnel syndrome prevalence of 43% was found among assembly workers [Bonfiglioli et al 2006] using case definitions similar to ours. Cartwright et al [2012] reported on results of a study of carpal tunnel syndrome among poultry processing workers and other manual labor occupations. Cartwright categorized positive carpal tunnel syndrome results as "possible carpal tunnel syndrome" or "carpal tunnel syndrome."…”

“…These jobs were categorized into the three exposure groups by the two ergonomists on the basis of observation and expert opinion during the familiarization visit. Information regarding exposure classification from previous ergonomic studies in other poultry plants [Lipscomb et al 2008;Cartwright et al 2012] was used in this categorization process.…”